Des Moines woman charged with murder in her mother's death

Angela Gerdes, 42, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of 70-year-old Nancy Glaza, who police say was so neglected that she weighed just 69 pounds when she died on June 14, 2023. Gerdes was also charged with animal neglect of a cocker spaniel that had to be euthanized due to its condition, according to a news release from police spokesman Sgt. Paul Parizek.

The case began when first responders were dispatched to a home in the 5300 block of Urbandale Avenue to investigate a report of a cardiac arrest. Glaza was found dead in front of her home, Parizek said, and was said to be in an emaciated condition. Medics estimated she had been dead for hours.

The Des Moines Fire Department had been called to the home just 90 minutes earlier but had been turned away by Gerdes, who told them there was no one in the home except her, Parizek said.